RIYADH, Asharq Al-Awsat – Saudi Arabia’s Labour Ministry has started steps to grant licences to employment agencies allowing them to pursue jobs for women, Asharq Al-Awsat can reveal.

The ministry hopes this move will reduce the gap in male and female unemployed in the Kingdom.

As part of many initiatives by the Saudi ministry, concerned companies will create more vacancies for women, sources from the ministry told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The sources also highlighted that there are plans to allow Saudi women to work at home next year, which could solve the challenges facing women of gender segregation.

Currently, there are 360 licensed employment agencies, but only one of them is authorized to look for jobs for women.